Depending on ones level of optimism, the Toronto Maple Leafs are either running out of time or are completely out of it in their search for a playoff berth. O. J. Simpson Jersey . The Leafs have lost eight straight games and have tumbled all the way from second in the Atlantic Division to two spots back of the final Eastern Conference wild card position. Reminiscent of the teams struggles in February of 2012 that saw them drop 10 of 11 games and fall from fourth in the Eastern Conference all the way to 10th, it appears that the proverbial 18-wheeler is going off the cliff once again, to borrow former Leafs general manager Brian Burkes immortal turn-of-phrase. The 2011-12 failure would cost head coach Ron Wilson his job, with Randy Carlyle taking over before the Leafs March schedule even began. Burke, too, would become a casualty in the seasons aftermath. He would be replaced by his colleague - Dave Nonis – prior to the lockout-delayed start to the 2012-13 season. The Leafs are still mathematically in the thick of the wild card hunt – two points back of the Columbus Blue Jackets entering Monday night. But with games-in-hand to be factored, the hill could become steeper still. Regardless of whether the team makes the playoffs or not, they have certainly done themselves no favours with the slide. With the skid, the Leafs have lost the possibility of home-ice advantage against the likes of the Montreal Canadiens or Tampa Bay Lightning and have painted themselves into a black-and-gold corner that would likely see them draw the Boston Bruins (again) in the first round - that is, if they even make the playoffs. So who takes the blame this time around? Traditionally, the coach is the first to shoulder the load. So does Carlyle wear the horns? He has been a polarizing figure if former players like Mikhail Grabovski are to be believed and as the old adage goes, "you cant fire the team." Dion Phaneuf has drawn his share of criticism over the streak as well, making notable on-ice gaffes against both the Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues and taking additional heat after refusing to speak to the media after the streak hit seven. He has posted a minus-8 rating in the Leafs past three games. Nonis, too, could shoulder some of the blame for failing to add to a team that many had predicted was overachieving earlier in the season. Not only did Nonis not make a trade leading up to the Mar. 5 trade deadline, the Leafs war room was shown deserted in the minutes leading up to 3pm et that day. A lack of deadline activity is nothing new to Toronto as the team has avoided big name additions in each of the last three seasons, but should Nonis have pressed harder to improve his club? Or does the blame fall to the teams long-term core? The Leafs have five forwards - Phil Kessel, Joffrey Lupul, David Clarkson, James van Riemsdyk and Tyler Bozak – locked up over the next four seasons beyond 2013-14 at a combined cost of just under $27 million. While Lupuls productivity has actually trended upwards during the slump (three goals in his last five games and six points over the eight games), the big line of Kessel, van Riemsdyk and Bozak has not been up to the lofty standards it set earlier this season. Kessel has scored just twice in eight games and the entire line has combined for just 12 points with only one player (Bozak) having managed a multi-point game over the stretch, and that only once. As for Clarkson, his career lows in goals and assists this season speak for themselves. The blame game could go on and on. The team has given up three goals or more eight straight games. That statistic could be pinned on the defence corps, overall team defence, or a four-game stretch without Jonathan Bernier. So who takes the blame for the Leafs late-season struggles? As always, its Your! Call. Seantrel Henderson Jersey . Pierre last November, only to watch St. Pierre leave the UFC octagon with his welterweight title belt and a split-decision victory. Jordan Matthews Jersey . He did one better Sunday by holing out a pitching wedge from 142 yards for eagle, capping a remarkable 28 on the back nine to win The Championship at Laguna National. http://www.authenticbillsfanatic.com/c-63-bills-micah-hyde-jersey.aspx . -- The defending Canadian womens curling champions squandered an opportunity to take sole possession of first place in the standings Tuesday at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. MIAMI -- With the way Jarred Cosart has been pitching, he didnt need much run support. He got plenty, anyway. Cosart pitched into the eighth inning, Marcell Ozuna had four hits and four RBIs, and the Miami Marlins beat the Atlanta Braves 11-3 on Friday night. "(Jarred) did exactly what we needed him to do, come out in the first game of the series, set the tone," Marlins manager Mike Redmond said. "Our offence answered the bell, too." Giancarlo Stanton drove in two runs and Donovan Solano also had four hits for the Marlins, who had a season-high 18 hits. "We (worked) a little slowly in that last series versus the Mets," Ozuna said. "Now we turned it around, were together and had a good offence." Freddie Freeman hit his 18th home run for the Braves, who have lost three of four. "I hope the Marlins got all their hits out of the way," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. Cosart (4-1), who came into the game with the lowest ERA (0.65) in the majors since Aug. 12, retired 13 batters in a row during one stretch and allowed five hits and two runs in 7 2-3 innings. He struck out six and walked one. Casey McGehee and Ozuna had RBI singles off Aaron Harang (10-10) in the first inning and Ozuna and Justin Bour had RBI doubles in the third to give the Marlins a 4-0 lead. Stantons two-run double extended the lead to 6-0 and gave him 104 RBIs on the season. "Its really comfortable as a starter when we go out there and just jump on the other guy early," Cosart said. Harang allowed six runs in 3 2-3 innings, which was his shortest outing since Aug. 7, 2013 when he pitched two innings against Toronto while with Seattle. "Warming up for the gamme, I felt awesome," Harang said. Stephen Hauschka Jersey. "I couldnt miss a pitch. As a pitcher, usually those are the nights you have to bite your lip and get through it. Tonight was one of those days." Solanos third hit of the game drove in a run for a 7-0 advantage before Freemans solo home run to left-centre field made it 7-1. Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Adeiny Hechavarria added RBI singles in the seventh for the Marlins. Andrelton Simmons hit an RBI single in the eighth to end Cosarts night. "Ive came out the same way the last three games so thats wearing on me a little bit," Cosart said. "It might be that Im looking ahead because I really want to finish the game." Ozunas two-run double capped the scoring. TRAINERS ROOM Marlins RHP Henderson Alvarez (left oblique strain) played catch today without any pain and plans on throwing a bullpen session on Saturday or Sunday with hopes of returning to the rotation sometime next week. "Im hoping next week, but well see how that whole thing goes," Marlins manager Mike Redmond said. UP NEXT Braves LHP Alex Wood (10-10, 2.92) will start on Saturday against Marlins RHP Nathan Eovaldi (6-10, 4.19). Wood is 3-2 with a 1.86 ERA over his last seven starts. CANT HURT TO ASK Solano is 6 for 8 in his career against Harang. "I dont know how to get Solano out," Harang said "Maybe I should go next door and ask him because its ridiculous how many hits hes been getting off me the past couple of games." STANTON REACHES ANOTHER PLATEAU Stanton became just the sixth player in franchise history to reach 30 doubles, 30 homers, and 10 steals in a season and the first since Hanley Ramirez in 2008. Cheap NFL JerseysWholesale JerseysWholesale NFL JerseysJerseys From ChinaWholesale NFL JerseysCheap NFL JerseysCheap Jerseys ' ' '